Internal Signals

"As much as we long for external signs that point the way to the future, we must settle for inner signals that alert us to the proximity of new beginnings." - William Bridges

Despite Bridges' elegant description of the hint of a realized future, his words can't begin to describe the tension-filled climate of one seeking positive change who is unable to either see it or have it neatly offered up. The complexity of our human existence often lends itself to messy ends, waiting periods and new starts. Rarely is a new beginning crisply and cleverly packaged. More often it's a mish mosh. Some things ending, others beginning and a few things stuck in neutral.

What I find so profound about Bridges' thought is the fact that in the muddle of our misshapen lives, we can count on the new rising up in us. We can learn to lean into those subtle internal signals that point us correctly in the direction of a better future. I believe in the best of circumstances these are God-inspired moments, His signals of prompted change.

So my question to you is this: what God-inspired internal signals are rising up in you? And what should you do about them? Or better yet, what will you do?

No goodbyes?

In my forward-thinking, future-focused world, new beginnings covet all my attention. Endings...not so much.

I know how to say goodbye. Sometimes I even over do it. But in my people-loving, the world-is-one-big-family mindset, I don't like to say goodbye. I'd rather holler, "see you later," as I whiz out of sight. And to me, later might mean next week or it could mean in heaven. When my circumstances change, I'm typically the first one to be ready to climb the next mountain. (Unless of course I wind up pouting about the unexpected or unfair nature of life.) I like new stuff.

But...endings are important.

When you move across the country, when your circumstances are drastically altered, when your ministry is ready for change, even when your wife wants you to learn to hang up your towel and you finally agree...you MUST acknowledge endings well. Each ending deserves attention. You must identify the losses and grieve them. You must discern how to provide closure, and you need to figure out how to celebrate contributions. You must pay attention to what it takes to effectively change.

Endings should not become THE focal point, but they must be a stopping point each time change is imminent. Glaze over them and you will miss the richness of celebration. Neglect them and you'll have people clinging to the way things used to be.

To what or whom do you need to say your goodbyes?

The Neutral Zone

When you're stuck in between loss and gain, between old and new, between past and future, William Bridges the author of Transitions says you're in the "neutral zone." While being stuck in a season of waiting, seeming emptiness or renewal can evoke feelings of sadness, anger or discouragement, Bridges suggests, "Dying, the neutral zone, and rebirth are not ideas that we bring to life; they are phenomena that we find in life. The only trick is to see them - by looking beyond the reflected light of the familiar surface of things and seeing what is really there, working in the depths. The neutral zone - the time between the old life and the new - is a particularly rich time for such insight." In short, the neutral zone can be one of the most creative periods in your life or ministry.

This past year has been a full-on neutral zone for me, a time of working in the depths of my soul, my circumstances and my dreams to discover the richness of God and His blessings. This is what I've learned so far:

1. Blessings are better than happiness. Happiness is a fleeting emotion that the Bible doesn't spend much time discussing. Blessings are God's goodness applied to our lives. Seeking lasting blessings from God is a more worthy pursuit than momentary happiness.

2. Some visions mature slowly, some surprise you quickly. If vision is the tension between what is and what could be, you need to be able to see what could be. Sometimes a leader immediately and clearly sees what could be in their life or ministry. Other times, it takes time, effort, exploration and prayer to form vision. While the process is different, the outcome is the same. One just requires more patience.

3. Becoming really is better than doing. Mary and Martha have always been of great interest to me. I'm more of a do-er, less of a be-er by nature. Sometimes I would get so mad when I would hear the story of how Mary sat at Jesus feet while Martha did all the work. Here's what changed my heart on this: the realization (read duh-moment) that all doing emanates from being. If I am becoming a godly woman, my actions will follow suit. If all I care about is action, my ministry will dry up as soon as the actions are complete.

4. Most of us try too hard. Whew. That's a hard realization, and taken out of context, a dangerous one. My responsibility bone is very strong, so I believe in hard work, determination and follow-through. However, during my neutral zone experience I've come to realize that some of the things in life or ministry we get so amped up about ought to be given less attention. Where can we refocus that attention: on becoming, on visioneering, on connecting with others and on obedience to God. Basically, I'm learning some of us need to "lighten up."

5. Ministry stems from self-leadership and identity. We'd like to believe our church is a reflection of Christ and His holiness. While God does supernaturally move in and through many churches, each individual church is likely more of a reflection of its leaders. Theological argument with that previous statement aside, you cannot ignore the direct correlation between a leaders' character and identity and the culture of his or her ministry. Lest we get too self-important, ministry and the church belong to God. He is the One who determine the success or failure of any particular ministry or church. Yet, God chooses to use people. And have you ever noticed how those who are men and women of godly character, who understand the church and ministry culture and who are expert leaders tend to build effective impactful ministries? My takeaway: self-leadership goes a long way.

So what's your neutral zone experience? Where are you sensing an ending and a new beginning. Don't be tempted to jump over the neutral zone experience, or you'll miss a terrific opportunity to mine the depths of your heart and soul in connection with God.

The soul never thinks without a picture

"The soul never thinks without a picture." - Aristotle

Just thinking about vision gets my heart pumping, my adrenaline flowing and my mind whirling. I can palpably feel a sense of urgency whenever I consider creating, clarifying or communicating a vision. In his book Visioneering, Andy Stanley suggests, "Visions are born in the soul of a man or woman who is consumed with the tension between what is and what could be." That pretty much describes me: consumed by seeing what could be and how to help leaders and churches get there.

So what stops other church leaders from being as excited as I am about vision? Perhaps some leaders lack an understanding of the power of vision. Maybe some simply don't know how to get a vision from their heads into action. I love working with both these kinds of leaders, because as I said I'm passionate about vision. But the church leader who needs the most help when it comes to vision is the one who is afraid of leading change or who leads a church afraid of change.

Churches have a unique ability to know something is not working, know something needs to change then shield their souls from the need to change by touting tradition and an unwillingness to cause offense. This drives me crazy. Churches need to learn how to change when a change would make them more effective and more transformational. Churches ought to lead the way in understanding change. But for as many churches who fear change, there seem to be an equal number of churches and church leaders who too quickly jump on any change bandwagon that passes by. Where some churches decline for lack of change, others seem to alienate people as they reactively change ministry to suit the current trends.

That's why it all comes back to vision and why I'm so passionate about this leadership tool. When leaders understand not only what could be, but also what should be done in their unique church in their next season, a God-inspired vision is born. Then change is simple and obvious (though not always easy) because it flows from a picture of a unique God-designed future.

Apply this to your church. Apply it at home. We did and we're moving half way across the United States. For us that's an obvious God-inspired change. What picture does your soul need to see this season? Do you have the courage to change?

Moving Forward (or South)

In two months time, we are moving to Orlando. You know: the home of Mickey Mouse. In the Sunshine state. Where tourists are the big industry. I am psyched! And am so looking forward to:
• Sunshine
• Beachfront
• Swimming
• Disney
• Warm weather
• And serving at Discovery Church

At the same time, moving means loss. I will miss:
• My Midwest friends!
• My extended family!
• My home here!

But I'm thinking big. Ready for the next challenge God has in store for our family.

Change is good right?

Yes, I say! As long as the change is rooted in a discerning spirit, purposeful and timely.

Our family has moved quite often lately. If you've been following our movements at all lately, you may have seen us in several different states in the last few years. But we're not shy about making a commitment to a community. We have simply always been willing to listen to the voice of God and literally move across the country at God's bidding. Our upcoming move is no exception. We feel called to make the Orlando community our new home.

So big changes are in store for us this summer. We covet your prayers for our family and the ministry God is calling us to!

10 Ways to Create Artistic Community

Artistic community in the church is simply a "must do." Artists need each other. When you think about it, you have to admit that no artist, or person for that matter, enjoys being "used." Even task oriented people prefer to be appreciated for who they are in addition to what they can do. Over the years, my appreciation for the power of artistic community has grown exponentially, because artists and technical volunteers in the church create more transformational moments when they do so in the context of community. We all need to be known.

Some arts leaders naturally create a community of artists. Others need to work at it. The rest of this blog is for the later group. These ideas are for those who haven't yet moved their leadership to the "must do" community camp:

1. Buy the team pizza and sodas.
2. Create a green room backstage where the team can connect.
3. Put people into rotating teams who serve together regularly. Then switch the teams every six months or so.
4. Create a team blog.
5. Hold several team events each year (an early Christmas party or an artistic talent night).
6. Gather them monthly for an all-team meeting. Include programming and production volunteers. Use this time to cast vision and create community.
7. Pray together regularly before each rehearsal and each service.
8. Schedule a yearly or quarterly volunteer retreat.
9. Create a wall of appreciation (a bulletin board where they can leave each other notes of appreciation and care).
10. Place team members into shepherding groups. Assign a volunteer leader to each group to keep tabs on individuals' needs, prayer requests and major life events.

Raise the value of team and you'll raise the impact of your weekend services. It's worth every ounce of leadership effort.

Develop Your Artists' Gifts

Whatever you do as an arts leader, don't let people stagnate in their gifts. Art wasn't meant to be stagnant. Sure, great art endures, but great artists seldom paint the same piece twice. Great song writers strive for new melodies and lyrics. Great church leaders strive for fresh weekend services. The same applies to the artistic talent of church artists and technical volunteers. They need to keep improving, to learn to do something new.

Next time you're faced with the decision to build into the talents of those in your ranks or assume they come fully prepared, think twice before you proceed. People in the church need us to give them the tools to make a difference for Christ with their art. Most of them will show up with a basic toolbox, but we need to figure out which tools they need that aren't in their box. Then we need to craft a plan to offer them support and personal growth.

The dividends are obvious. People get filled up. Art becomes more transformational. Community grows as people learn together. Not your job? Really? Does your church come fully stocked with professional artists who are spiritually and artistically always at their peak? Didn't think so. Take the time to build into the people within your care. Not only will you retain your volunteers longer, but your services will simply be better. It's worth it to develop your artists' gifts.